At least 25% of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D. Find out why vitamin D is important for your mental health and how to meet the recommended daily dose. While sunlight provides the most vitamin D naturally, too much sun exposure provides its own risks and so many people turn to vitamin D supplements.

It is natural to worry during pregnancy and in the postpartum period that follows, but postpartum anxiety is much more intense and persistent than typical new parent concerns. Here’s how you can tell the difference.

It may seem intuitive, but new research is demonstrating just how important it is for us to spend time in nature. Learn more about how being in nature can act as a kind of integrative therapy, benefiting both mental and physical health.

Depression is one the most complex mental health conditions. Depression can present in many different ways and can rob individuals of the ability to enjoy life and to function in their daily activities.

The adage "you are what you eat" may be one of the most profound truths of our existence. So it should come as no small wonder that you experience a profound sense of euphoria when you devour a decadent dessert or sample a slice of authentic New York from your favorite Brooklyn pizza spot.

The bottom line is that yes, there appears to be a link between depression and nutrition, and ensuring a healthy diet could help keep children as happy as possible. More research is necessary to determine exactly how effective nutrient treatment might be in treating depression in children.

In a recent meta-analysis examing research on exercise and mood, authors found that exercise positively impacts mood as well as conditions frequently comorbid with mood disorders (i.e. anxiety, pain, and insomnia).

More and more research is proving that the gut plays an important role in emotional and mental wellbeing. The gut-brain axis is the pathway through which these two parts of the body communicate, and because of this open line of communication, it is essential that we pay attention to how what we eat effects how we feel. As a curious and motivated integrative psychiatrist, Dr. Beata Lewis has spent a lot of time studying the importance of gut health and can offer guidance for those wanting to learn more.

In recent years, researchers and integrative psychiatrists have been paying more attention to the potential for standardized pharmaceutical-grade nutrients or supplements, known as nutraceuticals, to improve the effectiveness of antidepressants.

Inflammation seems to be common in individuals suffering from depression. In these patients, taking the time to treat both their heightened inflammation as well as their depression could lead to a faster recovery and better treatment results. Here, Dr. Beata Lewis offers analysis of current research that explores the role of inflammation in depression.